HE the Hon Robert Hill
Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations

  Biography

Robert Hill took up his appointment as Australian Ambassador to the United Nations in April 2006 following a distinguished career in the Australian Parliament and as a Cabinet Minister in Government.

He was a Senator for the state of South Australia from July 1981 until March 2006. From March 1996 to October 2001 he was the Federal Minister for Environment. From October 2001, until his resignation in January 2006, he was the Minister for Defence. He was Leader of the Government in the Senate from 1996 to 2006.

Mr Hill held a number of shadow portfolios in opposition including Justice, Foreign Affairs, Defence, Public Administration, Education and Science and Technology.

Prior to his entry into politics he
practiced law as a barrister and
solicitor.

Mr Hill's interests include law reform, Australian and Asian history, legal and environmental education and the arts.

He was born in 1946 in Adelaide, South Australia and educated at
Scotch College. He holds a Law
degree and an Arts degree from the University of Adelaide and a
Masters of Law from the University of London. Ambassador Hill is married with four children.